Montco native visits 6abc after winning World Series of Poker

The World Series of Poker Champion, a local from North Wales, stopped by 6abc to play some poker. (WPVI)

WPVI

Thursday, November 19, 2015

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) --

It's best to say goodbye to your money early when playing 24-year-old Joe McKeehen, the 2015 World Series of Poker Champion.

McKeehen stopped by 6abc on Thursday to play some poker.

The North Wales resident earned a math degree at Arcadia University. He says his classmates laughed when he announced his plans to play poker full time.

But McKeehen got the last laugh after pocketing $7.6 million dollars in prize money from the tournament in Las Vegas.

Some Action News employees, including news anchor Matt O'Donnell, joined in the friendly game and listened to McKeehen's poker-playing advice.

"You definitely try to get yourself in the better odds, more often than not. And sometimes you lose even with the better odds," he said. "The best thing to do is to keep on going, and don't worry about it."

McKeehen says his advice for poker players includes getting plenty of sleep, drinking water, preparing incessantly, never unnecessarily force a hand, cut losses when needed and put a scare in your opponent.

He also says he doesn't fight the odds - he uses them to his advantage.